Mortuary support



June 19, 1951 E. G. BEHRENS MoR'ruARY SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 6, 1947 um M EMEHEUN ELEIEHRENE E. G. BEHRENS MORTUARY SUPPORT `I une 19, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 6, 1947 EME/@EDN ELEIEHHENE ATTOR NE YS Patented June 19, T951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,557,8 Meermin' stiroitii Emerson e. l's'elirens,L Leslie, Mioh. Application Noveiiibor s, 194i', serial No; mess 4 claims. (o1. 27;'21)

1 rhis invention relates to mortuary or embalming tables, and more particularly to equipment u sel by morticians in connection with the use of their embalming tables. Y y

With few exceptions, most morticians embalm a dead human body by placing that body directly on their embalming table" and Working on the body as it rests onthe embalming table. The embalming operation consists in various dra-inn ing, injecting, and packing operations, and is completed with the dressingof the body for burial and its removalto a slumber couch before it is placed in a casket. These draining, injecting and packing operations are necessarily some'- What messy and certainly odorous. To cope with the messiness and the odorous part of the operation, the embalming table is designed with a convex surface having guttered edges so that the drainage may be Washed from aroundY the body into' the guttered edges and out a drain. This draining operation is normally accomplished by the use of a hose through Which water is run practically all oi the time, the Water being directed around on Various places as it is needed;

Another problem which is often met by morticiansy is that connected with the body whichV- refuses to maintain a position in which it may be readily embalmed. Such bodies are those' Aof extremely corpulent people', those bodies having extremely round shoulders or a projecting spine, and extremely emaciated bodies. All of these typestendl toslide or roll around on the convex table' top to such an extent that Working on thern is` very diincult. It is likewisel true of all bodies that, when' they are laid on the convex' top ern-v balming table, the feet tend to turn out atv the toes and to slide around on the Ytable whichr is normally' wet and therefore slippery. Various makeshift arrangements are used to prevent the sliding around ofV these particulartypes'of bodies and the movement of the feet of all bodies, these arrangements' contributing' to clttering up" the table top While they are in use, since they consist of tying the feet together Withrags or rope-prop? ping the armsrup out of the tablegutterv by means of bottles or pieces of metal, and invariousiways attempting'to' hold the body' in a single position so that it may be embalmed. K

A stillfurther problem presents'it'self when the mortician attempts to dress the" body for' burial, in that it is usually necessary tdwashthe' body after the embalming operation, and the Wet body then remains on the Wet andl not always clean embalming tableV until it is dressed. When attAh tempting to dress a wet body, the'emba'lmer often nds that he has soiled the clothing* being used',

oftentimes to such an extent that it must be heinged, and always to the extent that it must be at least Washed oi so that thev stains' and the accompanying odors will not be apparent to thoseI who later vieW the body. A further" prob-A lem which arises in connection With the dressing operation comes from` the fact that, in order to dress the body Without slitting the clothing being used, itis necessary to move the body somewhat in order torgetwthe clothes under the b'aok ofthe corpse. This movement of the body oftentimes disturbs the facial arrangement and necessitates repeating part of the Work already finished. This is not only time consuming but uneconomicalyand oftenthe repeated job' is riot as satisfactory as the first one.

It isv therefore an object 0f this inyention t0 provide a support to be used on an embalmers table yto hold dead human bodies in a position up olf the table and free from drainage residues.

I A'nother object is toprovide a mortuary support which is completely adjustable to hold'the bdy of avs'mall child or the body of a large a'dult.

Itis also an object to' provide av support which winy hoida body in position for eiiiloaliiiiig so manine body' will not slip, rou or slide' from the selectet'ly position. n

A'- furthe'r object is to proyide a support which Will' hold a body up over a table so that the table may be Kept clean;- sanitary and free from stains and odors.

ii'lhe'rV object ifs'y to provide agsupport" which incorporates' a water supplying apparatus giving agcstantnoiy of Waterra't the proper places on the embalmingtable to remove all traces of drainage'therefro'm. n

A' further objet is to provide a completelyI Seli-contained support Which holds the bodies in thebest en'ibalmig D'sition and eliminates forinerr table top clutter and makeshift arrange? menisused to hold trie bodiesjiii suon a position.

A further object isy to provide a support' for bodies which holds a'dead body in the desired ioosiiioiiV While rigor mortis sots' iii, ihoret'y ob; taining a better posture arrangement of the body. Y

A further object is iopiov'ide' a support" which Will hold a' body s'0` that it `can beV completely Washed before' dressing' Without disturbing? itv in any Way.

A"further` objectisto pioviclea support which will hold'the bodyV inthe desired: position andfyet Which is almost coi'ripletelyv coi/ered by the' body so'tha't' the supportitse'li does not become stained or unsanitary. A` still further object is to provide a suppot Y which will hold the body in position after it is A still further object is to provide a support V which will allow the dressing of a dead human body without rolling, moving or disturbing the body or the arrangement of the face.

Still further objects and advantages inherent in the construction of my inventionwill be apparent from a consideration of the ollowing 26 in the longitudinal member I2. The bar 62 supports the individual stirrup portions 88 and the particular mounting with the screw 66 engaging the channel 28 prevents rotary movement of the stirrups 58 about the axis of the longitudinal member I2. It is also apparent, that the stirrup 53 is completely adjustable longitudinally relative to the member I2, since it may be positioned adjacent the sleeve 20 or almost adjacent the leg I6.

The buttocks pan 88 is shaped to cover com- Y pletely the triangular frame comprising the side supports 38 and 38 and the saddle 48, and is built wide enough to support a large body even though it extends outside the frame structure. The buttocks pan 88 is likewise formed with a triangular specification in connection with the appended claims and accompanying drawings in which, Fig. I is a plan View of my mortuary support, Fig. II is a view in elevation of the right side of my mortuary support,

Fig. III is a view similar to Fig. II, but with the mortuary support in position for dressing the body, and a body indicated in dotted outline,

Fig. IV is a view in partial section on the line IV-IV of Fig. I,

Fig. V is a view in partial section on the line V-V of Fig. I,

Fig. VI is a View on the line VI-VI of Fig. I, and

Fig. VII is a broken plan view of the pelvis shield.

As Shown in the drawings. my invention comprises essentially a lower supporting structure, an attached upper supporting structure, and an associated water conducting and distributing apparatus.

The lower supporting structure comprises a frame composed of a longitudinal member I2 which is bent as at I4 to form a leg I8 over which is installed a rubber foot I8. The longitudinal member I2 is attached to the sleeve 20 by inserting its one end inside the aperture 22 and holding it in position by a pin or set-screw 24. The underside of the longitudinal member I2 is channeled as at 25 for reasons which will appear later.

The end of the sleeve 28 opposite the aperture 22 is Y-shaped, and presents the apertures 28 and 38 which receive the ends 32 and 34 of the side frames 36 and 38 which are bent toward each other at 48 and 42 and enter the apertures 44 and 48 in the saddle 48 which completes the triangle. As will be seen from Fig. I and Fig. VI, the side supports 38 and 38 are fitted fairly loosely into .the apertures 44 and 48 in the saddle 48 so that the saddle 48 is free to rotate for a few degrees about the axis of the apertures 44 and 46. The

side leg members 50 and 52 are attached to the fittings 54 which embrace the side support members 38 and 38, and are also fitted with rubber feet 58. The structure thus far described comprises ressentially a triangular frame supported on two legs, and attached to an extended longitudinal supporting member, which is in turn supported on a third leg, which three-point support will allow this portion of my invention to be placed on any convex mortuary table and to be used without tipping or rocking because of improper support.

The body supporting portions of the lower frame Ill comprise the foot stirrups 58 and the buttocks pan 69. The foot stirrups 58 are mounted on a horizontal bar 62 to which is attached a collar 84 having a knurled screw 86 which passes through its lower side and engages the channel opening 18 and a rectangular opening '12, the purposes of which will appear later. The pan 68 is attached to the frame structure by the suspended lips 'I4 which embrace the side members 36 and 38, and the resilient metal clips 'I8 which grip the members 3S and 38 adjacent the saddle 48. In installing the buttocks pan 88 on the frame I8, it is necessary to slide the pan 8D up over the frame members 36 and 38 so that the suspended lips 'I4 will engage the members 36 and 38, and then the clips T8 are forced down over the members 38 and 38. The structure thus far described will support the hips, legs and feet of a dead human body in position for embalming.

The water conducting apparatus of my invention is associated with the lower frame I0, and comprises a pipe 'I8 which is mounted parallel to the member I2 and attached thereto by means such as clips 88, and having its free end 82 adjacent the foot leg I8 so that a water hose 84 may be attached thereto to conduct water from a convenient source into the system. The end of the pipe lil opposite the end 82 projects through the buttocks pan 68 at 88 and enters the union 88. rIfhe pipe is joined to the union 88 and runs parallel to the member 38 to a point adjacent the leg 58 where it turns and runs across underneath the upper end of the buttocks pan 88 to a point adjacent the leg 52. The spray ttings S2 are attached to the pipe 88 adjacent the legs 58 and 52, and are formed to emit a continuous web of water, somewhat ian-shaped,

, over the area under the buttocks pan 6B. The T- tting 84 is mounted in the pipe 98 adjacent the leg 58, and carries water into the hose 86 which is attached thereto and adapted to conduct water up underneath the head portion of the entire support, as needed. I have therefore provided a Water distribution system which accepts water from a source 84, conducts it through a pipe 'I8 into a pipe 90, sprays the water into the most needed positions through the ttings 92, and conducts it up around the head portions of the entire support through the rubber hose 86.

The supporting structure of the upper end of my mortuary support is composed essentially of a U-shaped member which, because of its shape. I have termed the hairpin 98, which is removably received through the apertures IDG and I82 in the upper supporting block |84 as well as the apertures IUE and E08 in the saddle 48. The upper supporting block I84 stands on a leg III) which is normally situated in the drainage gutter H2 of the table II4. A set screw IIB is provided on one side of the upper supporting block |84 to position the hairpin 98 relative to'the block I84. By supporting the hairpin 98 through the block |04, which is held in position by reason of its foot IIIl being engaged in the gutter II2, and

by passing the other end of the hairpin 98 through the'apertures in the saddle 48, I have obtained a three-point suspension for the hairpin 98 and the upper supporting structure, by reason of the hinged supporting action of the saddle 48, so that the upper supporting structure is supported on the legs ||0, 50 and 52.

' The head cup ||8, formed approximately tol the shape of the average head, is pivotally mount-l ed on the shaft |20, and is held in position relative thereto by the set-screw |22. The stub shaft |20 is supported by the bifurcated leg |24 which is in turn pivotally mounted on a stub shaft |26 in the supporting block |28. The inclination of the supporting leg |24 is controlled relative to the block |2'8 by the arcuate ratchetmember |30 which is pivotally mounted Ion the stub ,shaft |32, between the legs |24, and engages the pawl |34 in the block |28, being urged into vits operative position by the spring |36. The blockv |28 is formed with a pair of apertures |38 and |40 through which the hairpin 98 extends, and is itted with a set-screw |42 which will hold the block |28 against movement relative to the hairpin 98. From this it willbeseen that I have provided a head cup ||8 which is adjustable longitudinally relative to the hairpin 98, which is adjustable vertically relative to the hairpin 98 and the embalming table, and whose inclination is adjustable relative to the plane of the embalming table so that the particular neck angle and head position desired may be obtained easily.

The supporting block |44 for the shoulder pan |46 is slidably mounted on the hairpin 98 through the apertures |48 and |50, and supports the figure--shaped shoulder pan |46 directly. The extremities of the supporting block |44, outside the hairpin 98, are formed to support the fittings |52 which are held in place by the pins |54. The portions |52 are telescopically received within the extendible arms |56 whose complete removal therefrom is prevented by the stud |58 which is attached thereto and which rides through the channel |60. The arms |56 support at their outer extremities the elbow cups |58 whose stems |60 are removably received through the apertures |62 and held in the desired position by the setscrews |64. It will be readily understood that the elbow cups |58 are adjustable vertically away from the embalming table and in a horizontal plane by reason of their pivoted connection at the pin |54 with the supporting block |44.

To aid in compliance with ethical considerations and to preserve the modesty of the dead from chance visitors to the embalming room, I have provided, as shown in Fig. VII, a pelvis shield |66 to be used to cover the pelvic region of the dead body during most of the embalming. The shield |66 is fashioned preferably of a rubber impregnated or similar material, and is provided with grommets |68 at each of its three corners to receive the varied length hooks engageable in the apertures |12 in the buttocks pan 60, and to receive the S-hook |14 engageable with the ring |16 which encircles the lower part of the support |0, preferably around the member 20. The positioning of the ring |18 and the triangular shape of the shield |66 will make it extremely easy to preserve the modesty of the dead, while the use of varied length hooks |10, or the substitution of rubber-cord for these hooks, will vmake it possible to use the shield for bodies of varying sizes.

In operation, my support is assembled as shown in Figs. I and II and placed upon a mortuary 61;i tabie` with the ieg H0 engaged in the gutter H21- at the head end of the table. The hose 84y is ati tached to the end 82 of the pipe 18, and, if it hasv been previously removed, the hose 96 is attached to the T-ftting 94. The body is next placed on the mortuary support in a position in which the hips aresupported by the buttocks pan 60 in such awa-y that there is no tendency for the hips toroll from the support or to slip in any fashion. Inthe case of very emaciated bodies, it will be' found advisable to slightly wedge the hips into the aperture 10 within the buttocks pan 60 in order to prevent any such rolling. After the body is positioned as above, the shoulder support |46 is positioned beneath the shoulders of the body, and the head cup ||8` is adjusted to support the head in the desired position and at a proper angle. The arms may now be positioned as desired, and supported by the elbow cups |58. The final operation is the positioning of the'foot stirrups- 58 and thetightening of the set-screw 66 to hold the feet in the desired position. The water may now be turned on and the embalming operation performed, after which the body may be washed and dried sok that it is ready to receive the clothing. Prior to dressing the body, the set-screws ||6 and |42 are released from engagement with the hairpin 98, and the hairpin 98 is pulled longitudinally through the apertures |00 and |02, and |38 and |40, away from the saddle 48, so that the open end of the hairpin 98 drops to the table as shown in Fig. III. Rigidity having set in by this time, due to the embalming process, the body is supported from the buttocks pan 6l and the head cup ||8, in which position it will be found possible to dress the body in the normal manner, without splitting any clothing, and without soiling the clothing. The dressing operation will likewise not require the moving of the upper extremities of the body or disturbing of any facial arrangement, moving, lifting or falling of the head. Following the completion of the dressing operation the body may be removed to a slumber couch and the apparatus readied for another embalming.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A support for a human body comprising a first frame member, leg and buttocks supporting portions positioned on said first frame member, a second frame member, head and shoulders supporting portions positioned on said second frame member, means for supporting said head portion for longitudinal adjustment along said second frame member, a plurality of legs attached to said frame members to support said frame members above a mortuary table, longitudinally telescoping attachment parts upon said frame members to connect said frame members together in one of their operating positions, said parts being disengaged upon relative longitudinal movement between said frame members to place said frame members in another of their operative positions without removing the human body therefrom.

2. A body supporting structure comprising a iirst frame member, a second U-shaped frame member, legs associated with said frame members to support said frame members above an embalming table, an open center buttocks pan attached to said rst frame member adjacent one end thereof, attachment structure associated with said first frame member in juxtaposition to said buttocks pan, said attachment structure having a pair of apertures therein and adapted table, body supporting portions associated withA said frame and comprising a shoulder supporting portion slidably mounted on said frame for adjustably positioning said shoulder supporting por-v tion relative to the other body supporting portions, a pair of extendible arms pivotally mounted on said shoulder supporting portion adjacent said frame for radial movement in a plane substantially parallel to said embalming table, and an elbow cup slidably mounted adjacent the end of each of said extendible arms for vertical movementin a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement of said arms to support the arms of aV corpse in any one of a number of positions, as desired.

4. A niortuary support comprising a plurality of body supporting portions, a leg supported frame member adapted to support at least one of said` body supporting portions, a second frame member at least partially supported by said rst frame member and adapted to support at least one oi said body supporting portions, said second frame member being U-shaped, and a saddle mounted on said first frame member for rotary movement with respect thereto and having a pair of apertures adapted to receive the legs of said U-shaped second frame member for guided relative longitudinal movement with respect to said rst frame member.

EMERSON G. BEHRENS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Banta Mar. 29, 1949 

